21 Beekman Place
$27,500,000
MLS# RLS20074376 · Midtown East
Listed March 2, 2026 · 256 days on the market
5 Beds 7 Baths 7,226 Sq.Ft.
About This Property
Welcome to 21 Beekman Place, a rare and expertly restored residence nestled on the northeast corner of a quiet picturesque street in an iconic Midtown East locale. Once owned by the renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman, who left an indelible mark on the home's design, it features the lush planting styles and formal gardens she was famous for. Set against the serene backdrop of the East River, this stately home provides breathtaking views from nearly every space, with exposures to the East, West, and South. Its coveted location once attracted legendary American composer Irving Berlin, adding to the area's storied past.
Beaming with character and charm, the home immediately transports you back in time as you enter. It has been thoughtfully updated to preserve its original design, showcasing old-world details elevated with modern upgrades. Antique oak floors laid in a chevron pattern, a grand curved staircase, five wood-burning fireplaces, triple-pane windows, and an elevator all contribute to the home's grandeur. The sophisticated front library, adorned with antique pine paneling, a fireplace, a bay window, and two floor-to-ceiling windows, offers a perfect space for relaxation. The parlor level conservatory, bathed in light from three sides, seamlessly brings the outdoor serenity indoors with its tree-top views.
The residence features a large, updated kitchen with a six-burner LeCornu range, twin SubZero refrigerators, and a center island. The primary bedroom is complete with bay windows, custom closets, and a marble bath, offering a luxurious private retreat. Outside, a high wrought-iron and copper-topped fence surrounds the plantings and facade, adding to the home's elegance. Two terraces and a rooftop garden provide extensive space for al fresco living. Plus, the basement allows for ample storage and the opportunity to renovate into a home gym, office, or more tailored to your needs. This country home, tucked away from the city’s hustle and bustle, is a rare gem on an elegant and timeless Manhattan street.
Agent's Note
From Curtis Bain. Details about the apartment are drawn from the listing information provided through RLS by Compass.
The house has 7,226 square feet across five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, and the parlor level holds a conservatory lit from three sides that looks out on treetops. Ellen Biddle Shipman owned the house once, and she was known for the formal gardens and planting styles that this room seems built to echo.
The front library is fitted with antique pine paneling, and it has a fireplace, a bay window and a pair of tall windows that reach the ceiling. It's a room for sitting down with a book. The house has five wood-burning fireplaces in all, and its antique oak floors run in a chevron pattern.
The kitchen has been updated and is large, with a LeCornu range that has six burners, a pair of SubZero refrigerators and a center island. The primary bedroom has bay windows, custom closets and a marble bath.
Two terraces and a rooftop garden give the house several places outside, and a wrought-iron and copper-topped fence wraps the plantings and the facade. The house has exposures to the east, west and south. A south-facing window on an open horizon can get about 8.5 hours of direct sun on the winter solstice, though nearby buildings can block it.
The basement has ample storage and room to renovate into a home gym, an office or something else. The Lexington Av and 53 St station, on the 6, E and F lines, is about 10 minutes on foot, and the East River Walk is about 4 minutes away.
Quick answers+
Does the house have an elevator?
Yes, the house includes an elevator.
Is there private outdoor space?
Yes. The house has two terraces and a rooftop garden, with rooftop access and private outdoor space over 60 square feet.
How many fireplaces does the house have?
Five wood-burning fireplaces, along with a fireplace in the front library.
Curtis Bain
Brown Harris Stevens
Property Features
Home features
- Fireplace
- Hardwood floors
- Private outdoor space (over 60 sq ft)
- Terrace
- Rooftop access
Building amenities
Services and facilities
- Elevator
- Laundry in building
Estimate
Monthly Cost & Closing Costs
The rate is a placeholder, not a quote. Enter the one your lender gives you.
$152,555 / month
- Principal and interest$139,055
- Property taxes$13,500
Due at closing
- Down payment (20%)$5,500,000
- NYS “mansion tax” (3.9%)$1,072,500
- Mortgage recording tax (1.925%)$423,500
Not included: attorney, title insurance, lender and appraisal fees, board application and move-in fees, flip tax and prepaid items. Estimates only, based on the published New York State rates. Your attorney and lender will confirm the real figures.
Location & Nearby
Map
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21 Beekman Place
Subway
- 6EFLexington Av/53 StAbout 10 min walk · Accessible
Parks
- East River WalkAbout 4 min walk
- Robert Moses PlaygroundAbout 11 min walk
- East River EsplanadeAbout 12 min walk
Public schools · Elementary schools
- P.S. 59 Beekman Hill InternationalAbout 11 min walk
- East Side Elementary School, PS 267About 19 min walk
- The River SchoolAbout 19 min walk
High schools
- Art and Design High SchoolAbout 11 min walk
Colleges & universities
- Cornell TechAbout 12 min walk
- Sotheby's Institute of ArtAbout 13 min walk
- Bank Street College of EducationAbout 17 min walk
- Rockefeller UniversityAbout 21 min walk
Museums
- Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & GardenAbout 15 min walk
- Paley Center for MediaAbout 22 min walk
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)About 22 min walk
- The Morgan Library & MuseumAbout 24 min walk
Walking times are estimates. Schools shown are the nearest public and charter schools and are not zone assignments; a nearby school is not necessarily the one an address is zoned for. Confirm zoning with the NYC Department of Education. Sources: MTA, NYC Parks and NYC Department of City Planning open data.
The Neighborhood
About Midtown East
Iconic residential towers with sweeping skyline views in the heart of Manhattan's most prestigious corridor.
Walkability
9/10
Public transit
10/10
Schools
7/10
Dining
9/10
Groceries & parks
7/10
Schools in Midtown East
UNIS draws a global student body and offers an internationally recognized curriculum. Families also benefit from proximity to Upper East Side private schools within a short commute.
Private schools in the area include United Nations International School.
Gallery
Property Photos
Listing Courtesy of Compass
This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.